Home Between the Trips

We spent a couple of months at home between our trip to Portugal and Spain and the next trip to New Mexico. Because the interlude was short, I tried to jam as much fun and upkeep into the time as I could. I did lots of hikes, spent time with lots of friends (sometimes on hikes), got through a bunch of medical appointments, celebrated our wedding anniversary, and ate a lot of good food.

Bald eagle at Point Defiance.

Friend at Point Defiance. Gig Harbor across the narrows.

Rhododendron Garden at Point Defiance.

Twin Falls trail, Snoqualmie Pass area.

The lower falls, Twin Falls.

Little Si. We met a new furry friend at the top. We saw a Western Tanager!

Small daisies at Point Defiance.

The Tacoma Narrows.

Chambers Bay. Olympic Mountains in the distance and Fox Island.

Ruston Way Waterwalk on the Wilson Bridge.

Barred Owl at Point Defiance.

We've tried to hike (or walk a park) at least twice every week. It was a big snow year, so most of our favorite hikes are still inaccessible, but the lower elevation hikes are perfect right now. We celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary at a local steakhouse, eating dinner (vegetarian for me) at the bar where we now know a few of the staff. They made this crazy drink with a bubble on top of it... so weirdly good. It was a twist on the French 75, which is a favorite of mine. The pianist played my request... Johnny Mercer's One for My Baby. Not the best choice for an anniversary, but a favorite.

Russ bought me the necklace in Venice when we were there for my birthday.

14 Years married, 24 years together, 35 years of friendship.

A nice touch from El Gaucho staff.

The bubble contained lemongrass smoke.

I wanted to have some fun and not cover my grey hair, so I got a patch of my hair dyed blue. You're supposed to dye your hair blue when you get old, right? It has been fun! It's been about ten years since I played with my hair color. My hair stylist is a friend from high school who now owns the salon and spa where I get my hair done.

The whole process took more than an hour.

Blue fascinator.

Cedar got his hair done too. He enjoyed the fireplace until he turned black.

The main thing I've concentrated on doing, besides getting all my medical check-ups done, has been spending time with friends and family.

Dinner at C and M's house.

Lunch with Mom and Dad ant the Red Hot.

Dinner at Anthony's Point Defiance with G and D. Vashon Ferry shown.

Mom made us dinner before our trip.

Dinner at McMenamins with Z and C.

Roses from our yard grace my desk.

G made this poured acrylic artwork for us.

Brunch upstairs at the Jewel Box.

Ice cream social with Mom and Dad and their neighbors.

Mom's homemade vanilla ice cream.

There is more, of course, but this is already too much, I think. I've so enjoyed all of the times I've been able to say yes to outing with friends since we've been home, and I'm not exactly ready to get back on the road, even though I know it will be fabulous, too. I had so much to do to get ready, that this blog post is going out 3 days into our trip.